A great way to improve the curb appeal of your home is adding front door sidelights. The additional windows on either side of the front entry door will also let more light into your home and illuminate your foyer. There are many choices for the glass itself including decorative glass, Low-E glass, and obscure glass.

Thinking about upgrading your home windows to Energy Star® Windows? Take the Home Energy Assessment Survey so you can see the before and after results and determine the overall efficiency of your home. Follow this link to the Energy Star® Home Energy Yardstick online analysis calculator. Take the home energy assessment survey now and once again after your new windows have been installed. This is a great tool to help you calculate and understand the savings you have realized by installing your new energy efficient windows. Compare the before and after reports to see your actual savings and how you stack up as compared to other homes in your area.

If you live in an older home installing new windows will save energy costs. Older single pane windows are far less efficient when compared to new high-performance windows which are constructed with two panes of glass and a Low-E Coating. Upgrading to ENERGY STAR® new windows will save energy and reduce the heat loss through the windows by 10 to 20 percent depending on the style of the existing windows.

Installing New Windows Will Save Energy, But How Much?

Yes it is true that an upgrade to ENERGY STAR® new windows will save energy and thus reduce your monthly utility bill. However the amount you will save varies greatly depending on what area of the country you live in. The style and condition of your current windows can affect your savings as well. While upgrading from double pane windows to ENERGY STAR® windows will reward you with some savings, the payback is far greater if you current windows are single pane.

Tired of your old front door? Is the old entry door weathered and rotted? Are you ready to change the appearance of your home? Upgrading to a Glass Entry Door can change the entire look of your house. Here are a few Glass Entry Door Installation Tips to help you with your project:

Safety Tip

Pre-hung, glass entry doors can be quite heavy. You will need to recruit a friend to help you lift the assembly. Manhandling a pre-hung door is a two man job!

Remove the Old Door:

Carefully remove the old door and surrounding trim. Unscrew the hinges from the door frame and place the old door to the side. Use a pry-bar to remove the old door frame and exterior brick molding trim. Take care not to damage the surrounding siding.

If you live in a northern state with a colder climate such as Illinois your home should already have a storm door. If it doesn’t, you should consider installing one before the next cold front heads your direction. A simple storm door installation can be one of the easiest ways to improve the efficiency of your home heating and cut down on cold winter drafts.

You may be worried that a storm door installation project is difficult and complex? Not at all, with the kits that are available today, your installation should be quick and easy. Still not convinced? Then simply hire a professional contractor like One Source Renovation to complete the task for you. If you feel up to the task then follow these tips for a successful project: Read more

If you need to replace your old, single-pane basement windows consider upgrading to Glass Block windows. Glass Blocks are weather-tight, maintenance-free, and are very energy efficient. With an R-Value of up to 2.0 glass blocks will help to keep your basement warm in the winter, an important consideration for those of us living in Illinois and other northern states.

Follow These Basement Window Installation Tips

Clear the Window Opening

Remove the old window being careful not to break the glass to avoid injury. Using a pry-bar or wrecking bar remove the old window jamb. You may need to use a saw to cut the wood at the four corners for a clean demo. Remove the window sill, the side jambs, and the head jamb. Using a hammer and chisel chip away at any remaining mortar and/or wood that may be left behind. Read more

When it comes time to replace your basement windows you may want to consider an upgrade to Glass Blocks as a cost-effective, practical solution. Glass block basement windows are weather-tight and virtually maintenance free, even when installed in the harsh climate in Naperville Illinois. The glass blocks will serve a dual purpose of not only letting the sunshine in to illuminate your basement; they will also keep the average burglar at bay.

Benefits of Installing Glass Block Basement Windows in Your Home:

Energy Efficiency

Glass block windows can be up to 2 times more efficient as compared to conventional basement windows. The R Value of a single pane of glass is generally about 0.85, while the R Value of a glass block can range from 1.5 to 2.0. Most standard block windows are equally efficient as compared to more expensive thermal pane windows. Read more

Vinyl Windows became very popular in new home construction around 1990. Their popularity continued through 2005. A large percentage of homes built in this time period featured vinyl windows. If you own a home with vinyl windows that was built in this era; it’s just a matter of time before you need to perform a vinyl window repair yourself, or hire a reputable window repair contractor to do the work for you.

How to Build a Bay Window Seat With Storage Step 4: Finish and Paint

Prior to painting your Bay Window Seat with Storage project, be sure to caulk all gaps between the wood structure and original walls. Apply caulking along the back wall and the ends of the new vertical face of the storage area. Allow the caulking to cure thoroughly before applying paint.

Fill and cover any nail heads or exposed wood screws. Use a putty knife and high-quality wood putty to fill these voids. Be sure the putty is completely cured before you begin painting.